According to Herodotus They Only Needed 300

According to Herodotus They Only Needed 300

“I do not know of any organization that achieves budget discipline from the bottom up. We need to be sufficiently top-down to get the job done. Nobody’s going to volunteer to make the kind of changes that are required.”                   Christopher Edley (94) Some of the discussion on Chris'...

Just Trying to Say that We Don't Care

Just Trying to Say that We Don't Care

UC"s latest image disaster came in the form of what I dearly hope is UC's final 2010 appearance in the California press.  Today's San Francisco...

The LAT, The Regents, and The Conventional Wisdom

The LAT, The Regents, and The Conventional Wisdom

By Michael Meranze With so extensive a demand, it follows that a very large part of our social comment--and nearly all that is well regarded--is devoted at any time to articulating the conventional wisdom.  To some extent, this has been professionalized.  Individuals, most notably the great television and radio commentators, make a profession of knowing and saying with...

The Debt Crisis and the Austerity Trap

The Debt Crisis and the Austerity Trap

State officals are caught in a mental loop, and it is nicely visualized by state treasurer Bill Lockyer's forlorn op-ed in the Los Angeles Times.  Arguing that "California Isn't Broken," and anxious to head off implausible suggestions that the state could default on its debt, Lockyer and coauthor Stephen Levy write, During the current fiscal year, general fund revenues are...

UC Autonomy: Is that Campus Closing?

UC Autonomy: Is that Campus Closing?

The Los Angeles Times reports that there is a growing sentiment among legislators in Sacramento that they should have greater oversight and influence not only in the amount of money that UC gets but in how it is spent.  Strikingly, the three points that seem to have mobilized the greatest concern are the size of executive pay and perks, the continual fee increases, and the...

Rethinking the UC Future (2): the UCOF Report's View of Revenues

Rethinking the UC Future (2): the UCOF Report's View of Revenues

Whatever message the Regents wanted to send by passing the Commission on the Future recommendations, the cuts message is what came through. UC officials are promising less to future students - that's what the reporters picked up. The sacrifice might go somewhere if it were done in an atmosphere of fairness, intelligence, and mutual attention and respect.  The UCOF process...

Educational Dimensions of Italian Riots

Educational Dimensions of Italian Riots

A UC colleague writes from Italy: The riots broke out after Berlusconi's government – which is, among other things, attempting to pass a massive and massively impopular overhaul of the Italian universtity system, under the name of lega Gelmini – obtained a vote of confidence (fiducia) in the Chamber, amidst much manoeuvring, with Berlusconi thus managing to remain in power. The...

Happy Holidays: The Regents Meet

Happy Holidays: The Regents Meet

The Regents met today to discuss UCOF (which they approved) and also President Yudof's Pension proposal (modified to protect the interest of some high earners) which they also approved.  The actual pension proposal is here.  You can also find audio of the Regents meeting her...

Rethinking the UC Future (1): the UCOF Report's Impacts on Students

Rethinking the UC Future (1): the UCOF Report's Impacts on Students

The short, special Regents meeting on Monday, December 13 will consider pension changes and the ratification of the recommendations of the Commission on the Future. Most commentators have found the Report uninspiring. The San Francisco Chronicle focused on elements that will reduce services to and contact with in-state students (more out-of-state students, on-line courses, and...

The Mask of Anarchy (Part II)

The Mask of Anarchy (Part II)

By Michael Meranze Next came Fraud, and he had on, Like Eldon, an ermined gown; His big tears, for he wept well, Turned to mill-stones as they fell. And the little children, who Round his feet played to and fro, Thinking every tear a gem, Had their brains knocked out by them.       Shelley, The Mask of Anarchy As Thatcher’s epigone marshal their forces...

Just in Time for the Holidays

Just in Time for the Holidays

The Commission on the future has released its final report.  You can read it here.  Coverage in the LAT can be found here.  The Sacramento Bee coverage is here.  Check it ou...

The Mask of Anarchy (Part I)

The Mask of Anarchy (Part I)

By Michael Meranze I met Murder on the Way— He had a mask Like Castlereagh Very smooth he looked, yet grim; Seven bloodhounds followed him: All were fat; and well they might Be in admirable plight, For one by one, and two by two, He tossed them human hearts to chew Which from his wide cloak he drew. Shelley, The Mask of Anarchy The dapper Cameron has replaced the corpulent...